The Best Motherboards for the 13700K

Launched in the fall of 2022, the Intel Core i7 13700K quickly became (and remains) one of the most desirable all-around CPUs for both gaming and general productivity. Featuring an astounding 16 cores in a big.LITTLE configuration (8 larger performance cores coupled with 8 smaller efficiency cores), the 13th generation CPU is a somewhat more affordable alternative to the i9 series of Intel processors that offers similar gaming performance with a discrete GPU.

Although the integrated graphics chip on the Intel 13700K can run some older games, the full glory of this CPU isn’t realized until it’s paired with the best motherboard, memory, and graphics card. Choosing a motherboard that allows a CPU like the Intel Core i7-13700K to reach its full potential is an essential early decision when assembling a gaming build.

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When choosing a motherboard to pair with the Intel Core i7 13700K, consider:

Considering the number of motherboards compatible with the Intel 13700K, selecting this vital component is often more difficult than deciding on a CPU. The price range between options is vast, with varying compatibility with DDR4 or DDR5 memory to accompany Raptor Lake CPUs. The Z790 series of motherboards is the most popular candidate to pair with this CPU, with some models offering Thunderbolt 4 storage ports and PCIe 5.0 for GPUs of the future.

There are several other candidates of course, and the following guide suggests the best motherboards for the 13700K at various price points.

Game Rant’s picks for the Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i7 13700K

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge Wi-Fi is not the most budget-oriented or premium motherboard for Intel 12th and 13th-generation CPUs. Even so, it offers a unique style that matches white and black PC cases, and numerous features that make it worth buying instead of cheaper alternatives. What’s most noticeable about the MPG Z790 is its appearance, with plenty of silver-trimmed slot covers on the board. The unique color scheme accommodates a wider variety of white, silver, or black cases. The motherboard carries on the tradition of MSI’s stylish MPG line, which is popular among streamers and trend-setting PC builders.

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Beyond its aesthetic qualities, the MPG Z790 offers everything one would expect with this chipset and a few bonuses. Networking and USB connectivity are a highlight of this motherboard, with the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard supported with external antennas included. While it’s simple to purchase a separate wireless adapter, they take up a valuable USB port and their range usually can’t compete with antenna-based solutions. If Ethernet is preferable, there is a 2.5G port available on its rear IO shield. For connecting wireless peripherals, Bluetooth 5.3 is also present, giving desktop users some conveniences usually reserved for laptops.

As not the most premium Z790 motherboard, buyers will have to make some sacrifices with this MSI MPG offering. The MPG Z790 Edge lacks compatibility with the M2 PCI-E 5.0 interface, but the board still offers plenty of options for blazing-fast internal storage and one USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type C port capable of a 20Gbps transfer rate. This specific motherboard supports DDR5 memory, but be aware that MSI sells a nearly identically priced board supporting DDR4 memory at a slightly cheaper price while allowing you to use your older memory sticks, enabling a budget-centric upgrade.

Even without PCI-E 5.0 storage support, the MSI MPG Z790 Edge Wi-Fi is the best compromise between the most bare-bones LGA1700 chipsets and motherboards that cost twice or more than its asking price while cutting down on features in some cases.

For users with a 14th generation CPU alternative such as the 14700K or those that require Wi-Fi 7 (with support on Windows 11 only currently), MSI has launched a refreshed version of the MSI MPG Z790 Edge Wi-Fi that throws in an overhauled design in addition to the upgrades above for just $10.

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is one of the most impressive-looking motherboards out there. It also happens to ship with an excellent set of VRMs that allow it to push Intel’s 13th and 14th-generation CPUs higher, making it a premium motherboard to overclock the Intel Core i7 13700K without the overhead of looking like something from a test bench.

At the same time, it offers liquid cooling for its VRMs to ensure DIY liquid-cooled PC builders are adequately represented while also doing a decent job passively. Its LiveDash OLED display can be used for aesthetic reasons or to provide information relevant to the internal component’s current status. At the same time, it beefs up the communications end versus older Maximus Z690/Z790 motherboards, offering Wi-Fi 7 support in addition to a 5 Gigabit Ethernet port allowing users the ability to have access to faster, lower latency internet.

It supports a high degree of memory overclocking as well as support for Intel’s 14th generation CPUs (if users wish to switch down the line) out of the box without requiring a BIOS update to do so, making it a complete, but expensive alternative to most Z790 motherboards that trade in sub $200-300 price range.

Spending twice the amount of money on a motherboard as on the Intel 13700K CPU itself isn’t practical for some gamers. Fortunately, there are far more budget-friendly motherboard candidates that support 12th and 13th-generation Intel processors without too many compromises for the average buyer. The Gigabyte B760 AORUS Elite AX isn’t the most ideal choice for overclockers or for those gamers who must have the absolute latest in USB or Thunderbolt connectivity. However, buyers will otherwise see very little difference in performance from more expensive motherboards running at stock settings.

Despite a budget-friendly price, the Gigabyte B760 AORUS Elite AX is a full-sized ATX motherboard. While not as impressive as a Z790 motherboard, gamers can expect a more than acceptable amount of USB ports including rear and front USB Type-C ports with support for USB 3.2 Gen 2. For storage needs, there are 4 SATA 6 GB/s connections as well as 3 PCI 4.0×4 M.2 slots. The B760 AORUS Elite AX also has the networking needs of gamers covered with 2.5 GbE Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E available. Bluetooth 5.3 is also integrated into the chipset, avoiding the need to purchase a separate adapter.

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New PC builders tend to gravitate towards more affordable motherboards, and the B760 AORUS Elite AX has several features that make it easier to install and remove parts. Instead of fiddling with tiny screws that inevitably get lost, Gigabyte has placed EZ-Latch and EZ-Latch Plus hardware on the PCIe 4 graphics slot and the M.2 storage slot. Also, Q-Flash Plus enables gamers to flash their Bios without the normally essential CPU, memory, or graphics adapter installed. If a Bios update is necessary to use previously incompatible hardware, this feature has obvious benefits.

Boasting compatibility with DDR5 memory and the latest wireless and wired networking standards, many gamers will find the B760 AORUS Elite AX a perfect partner for the Intel 13700K CPU. The full-size ATX form factor makes cable management a bit easier than with mini-ATX alternatives and is compatible with more cases.

A high-end Z790 motherboard carries with it a lot of expectations. Aimed at both cutting-edge gamers and system builders, the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 delivers on nearly all fronts. If black is not your preferred color in a chipset, then the Maximus Z790 is probably not the motherboard for your build. Even so, there are some nice silver accents throughout, and more exciting is the RGB lighting near the rear IO ports. Most importantly, the Maximus Z790 is one of the most solidly constructed motherboards around, employing an 8-layer PCB and some heavy-duty heat sinks and shrouds.

With the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790, support for the latest memory, storage, and graphics cards is top-notch, as expected at this price point. Although it’s a costly addition to any gaming build, the Maximus Z790 accommodates DDR5 memory, as well as offers two PCI 5.0 x16 slots (that are limited by the number of PCI-E lanes on offer by the Z790 chipset).

Even though there are very few PCI 5.0 compatible devices on the market, the motherboard is ready for the latest and greatest graphics cards that might appear in the coming years. Also, for the fastest read and write rates possible, the Maximus Z790 includes two Thunderbolt 4 USB ports, which are twice as fast as the current USB-C 3.2 standards.

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Since buyers of high-end motherboards are more likely to attempt to overclock memory, CPUs, and graphics cards, the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 Hero is well-suited for risk-takers. There are numerous temperate monitors scattered around the motherboard, as well as a ROG Water-Cooling Zone which sends information about the water flow rate to the Asus Armoury Crate software.

For gamers who put maximum stress on the motherboard, the Asus Team Powered Architecture could come to the rescue accommodating CPUs that rapidly change their power demands.

One somewhat surprising omission from the Maximus Z790 specs is the lack of a 10GbE Ethernet port, which some similarly or level lesser priced alternatives ship with. Regardless, the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 Hero is a premium feature-packed motherboard, where the full potential of the latest Intel CPUs is realized.

Users looking to splurge more can opt for the Asus Z790 Maximus Dark Hero instead which offers more integrated M2 slots on the board itself, Wi-Fi 7 support, and native support for a 14th generation CPU down the line.

Builders of compact mini-ITX gaming rigs aren’t excluded from the benefits of the Intel 13700K CPU. Despite dramatically different dimensions from ATX motherboards, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX still includes many of the latest connections for modern memory and ultra-fast storage. Gamers can pack 96 GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM into 4 288-pin slots, and 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports. Trying to fit a powerful graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 4090 into a small case is a challenge, but in theory, it’s possible using this mini ITX motherboard. The ASRock Z790 PG-ITX is future-forward as well, accommodating any PCIe 5.0 GPU that we might see as early as the next generation of Nvidia and AMD GPUs.

One of the more unique features of the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX is its ability to combine network interfaces to achieve maximum bandwidth. The motherboard includes Wi-Fi 6e support, but with Killer Doubleshot Pro, wireless bandwidth is combined with wired 2.5 G Ethernet for a total bandwidth rate of nearly 5 Gbps. Some desktop users and gamers scoff at the notion of using a wireless connection given the latency and bandwidth limitations, but Wi-Fi 6e is currently as fast as you can get thanks to its support for the newer 6GHz band if you have a router to match.

Bluetooth 5.3 is also onboard, critical because most users of compact PCs aren’t crazy about having numerous dongles and adapters visible.

Another area where ASRock Z790 PG-ITX outshines the competition is with its 3 4th generation NVME M.2 slots, more than most Z790 alternatives in this form factor. Traditional 2.5 and 3.5-inch hard drives can quickly fill up a mini ITX case, so gamers need as many ways to use this ultra-slim storage solution as possible. Otherwise, there are 3 SATA 6.0 GB/s ports if larger drives are a necessity in a build. Of course, the cutting-edge Thunderbolt 4 ports make using external storage all the more appealing.

RELATED: The Best Wired Gaming Headsets For 2023Gamers often take integrated audio chips for granted on modern motherboards. Knowing builders want to use as few components as possible in ITX systems, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX includes native Nahimic audio powered by SteelSeries. This technology not only reduces static interference when using microphones but also gives game audio a more dynamic surround sound quality.

Even though the Intel Core i7-13700K is hardly the most power-efficient CPU, small but mighty PCs are still in demand. With its intelligent networking features and support of the latest USB and memory standards, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX is undoubtedly the most desirable Z790 motherboard for compact gaming rigs.

Don’t Forget to Complete Your Build

To keep CPU and system temps under control, it’s also a good idea to invest in an effective CPU cooler, especially since the Intel 13700K does not ship with one. If you decide to overclock the CPU with the help of a motherboard perfect for this exercise like the ASRock Z790 TAICHI CARRARA, an easy-to-install AIO such as the ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler is a great option.

The best Z690 & Z790 motherboards and an Intel 13700K CPU supplemented with these additional parts will soon have you gaming at 4K resolution without frame drops. The 16-core CPU is equally great for productivity use cases, offering as many as 24 threads across its 8P+8E configuration. If putting together your own gaming rig becomes too problematic, you can always purchase a great prebuilt PC instead. Whichever route you take, enjoy your new gaming rig for years to come.

The Intel Core i7 13700K: Is It Relevant Today?

The Intel 13700K CPU and an appropriate motherboard are a fantastic start to any new gaming build. Besides choosing between motherboard-supported DDR4 and DDR5 memory modules, remember to keep the power-hungry CPU well-supplied with juice and cool enough for optimum performance. This involves making sure users pair it with a motherboard that can handle the stable power delivery that Intel’s 13700K demands to perform as intended. One should also make sure to purchase a power supply sufficient for both these critical components and a potentially even more demanding graphics card.

The Replacement

While it has been replaced by the Intel Core i7 14700K as Intel’s recommended high-end CPU as part of its Raptor Lake Refresh in 2023, it still holds its own versus its newer sibling with ease. The faster Core i7 14700K offers better clocks, more efficiency cores, and compatibility with the Intel Core i7 13700K’s CPU socket meaning that users do not need a different motherboard to get the job done in 2023.

It does however trade at a higher price currently due to a discount on offer for the 13700K while increasing both, power and thermal needs from a PC thanks to its higher clocks, making it a refresh with a caveat even as the 13700K continues to feature heavily in multiple prebuilt systems and buyer’s guides in 2023.

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FAQ

Q: What Chipsets Does the Intel Core i7 13700K Work With?

The Intel Core i7 13700K is supported by the following chipsets out of the box: B760, H770, and Z790. The following Intel Chipsets from the 12th generation are also supported but require a BIOS update to detect the 13700K as a processor: H610, B660, H670, and Z690.

The Q670 & W680 also support Intel’s 13th generation CPUs after a BIOS update but cater to business and workstation uses. Unless you have a specific reason to opt for these, it is probably better to stick to the H, B, or Z series chipset-based motherboards for your new Core i7 13700K processor.

To get the latest BIOS Update For your 12th Generation motherboard, Intel has compiled a list of its most popular manufacturers and their BIOS update repositories:

Q: Is the B660 motherboard good for the Intel 13700K?

The B660 motherboard is an excellent choice that works with the Intel Core i7 13700K processor. It must be noted that it does require a mandatory BIOS update to do since it ships with an older version that will not recognize the 13700K as a valid processor until you perform a BIOS update.